Wednesday, October 30, 2013

No Romance Required (Love Required #3) by Cari Quinn

Cory Santangelo is used to getting his way, both in the boardroom and the bedroom. Lately he hasn’t had much opportunity to do anything but work, but one unexpectedly sexy night in a gazebo with Victoria, his gorgeous and feisty interior designer, changes all that—especially when they’re caught on camera. Suddenly Cory’s sterling reputation is no longer above reproach. Since his impromptu encounter coincides nicely with his need for a girlfriend to get his well-meaning, meddling parents off his back, he decides to ask his lifelong frenemy for a favor.

The only problem? Vicky Townsend wants those strings tied all around her. She’s battled a long-suppressed crush on Cory, and their combative work relationship has only fanned the flames. When he suggests his needs are more than she can handle, she’s ready to up the ante. And her bargaining chip is lots of delicious, inventive sex.

Ahhhh *girly swoon* No Romance Required was my first full length from Quinn and omg I am a fan! Steamy steamy sex, my favorite storyline of a couple pretending to be mates and falling head over feet, through the roof chemistry. Gah. So good! Enjoyed the hell out of all of it as Cory and Victoria turn a rather, um, scandalous moment in a gazebo, familial meddling and a long hidden crush into something more.

He was a distracting combination of megalomaniac and man candy, covered in geektastic frosting that wreaked hell on her hormones.

I absolutely loved Cory and Victoria. I mean. Freaking loved them. The two work together and have known each other forever and have pretty much bickered every second of that forever. If a button can be pushed, oh hell yeah, they're gonna push that sucker. Hard. I loved the little edge to them and just how perfect they were for each other even if they want to strangle the other now and again.

I always love watching these 'fake mates' slowly turn into more. Watching them finally realize that there's more and the other is truly, deeply special to them. I really liked that even though they're so different--she's a bit expressive with things and he's rather buttoned up-- there were so many similarities. They both had some demons dealing with their families and abandonment, with loneliness and not feeling like they had anyone and they actually share some geeky habits which were kinda cute. They really are just a great match.

Now, the sexy bits. Holy freaking make your toes curl. *thud* Cory definitely had me fanning myself. The man's got a bit of a kinky side and Victoria's more than willing to explore it with him. Thank God! Hot, creative and best of all emotional. It really was the perfect combo.

"Barn, you say?"

She rubbed against him, sidling up and down as sinuously as a cat. "Uh-huh. Race you there."

"I don't race. Women chase after me."

At her sniff, he grinned. Until she reached under her dress and shimmied down the string-bikini panties he'd amused himself with a few minutes before. She drew them off her long legs, allowing him a glimpse of black, lace-topped stockings, and then pressed them into his hand. They were tiny and as red as her dress.

And very damp.

He stared at them while she walked to the door.

"Not this woman. You know where to find me, CEO."

My only problem--and obviously it didn't dampen the book too much--was that things got a bit predictable and it kind of got under my skin today for some reason and kept it from being a 5 star but damn it was close. But I loved the ending and how it all played out, completely fell for Cory and just had a great time watching these two deal with their 'fake' relationship. The sexy, the humor, the fiery bits when they were going after each other. It was really a great time and I'll definitely be reading more from Quinn in the future.

FTC Disclaimer: The books I review come from a number of places...ones I have purchased, some provided by authors or publishers in exchange for honest reviews (yeah some of those get DNF'd and 1 stars too) and some I've received from friends. I'll always give yall exactly what I think regardless of how the books ended up on my shelf.

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